Finland: More naturalizations

The number of foreigners granted Finnish citizenship grew slightly in 2007. According to data released by Statistics Finland, about 4,800 foreigners permanently resident in Finland were granted Finnish citizenship last year - 400 more than in the previous year.


The number of residents from other EU countries who became Finns was 500, while the number from non-EU countries was 4,300.



Russians constituted the largest group granted citizenship - 1,650 - while about 460 Somalis were granted the right to call themselves Finns. The third largest group to vow allegiance to the Finnish flag was Iraqis, 440 of whom became citizens.



Last year 2,750 women and 2,100 men were granted Finnish citizenship. The number of under 15-year olds becoming Finns was 1,350, while the corresponding number of 65-year olds was 200.



Source: YLE (English)

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